Topsy-Turvy Page #12

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Good night, girls! | I don't want to be late for supper.

Oh, Bunny, you look charming!

It's a fine comic song. | He sings it splendidly.

Does the paying audience | not deserve to hear it?

I agree, Walter. They do.

Rotten luck for poor old Temple.

- I'm not convinced it's an immortal song. | - Nobody said it was, Mr Lewis!

It's not the Holy Grail!

Despite your reservations | about the song...

...you must concede | it is an original performance.

He should have cut | one of Grossmith's songs.

- Mr Grossmith is poorly. | - Then he should have stayed at home.

I think it's a misjudgement. | Someone should tell him.

- Tell who? | - Gilbert.

- He's only a man, like the rest of us.

He's not the devil incarnate.

He scares the living daylights out of me.

- What about us? | - Beg pardon, Price?

- Why can't "we" speak to Mr Gilbert?

Well, we could all go together.

There's no reason why we shouldn't.

Is there?

Tell a man you admire his lyrics, | he can only be gratified.

It's a splendid notion, Mr Price.

Well, here's food for thought.

Gentlemen, I have been a chorister | in this company for 28 seasons.

It is my intention to remain one | for at least another 28.

- I'm sure you shall. | - Be very careful, Mr Price.

You must consider yourself...

...and your position.

This is tantamount | to professional suicide.

Oh, WJ, that is a little excessive...

Gentlemen, let us repair | to The Coal Hole in the Strand.

Don't be long, chaps.

- Good night, gentlemen. | - Good night.

- Take heart. | - You'll be wonderful.

Quite so.

Is that not right, wee Durward?

Ach, he'll be grand, Helen.

This has taken us all quite by surprise.

And we all know Mr Gilbert.

- I'd have thought it was a fine song. | - It is.

Thank you.

Is there anything | we can arrange for you, Mr Temple?

No, thank you, Miss Lenoir.

I'll be fine.

It's very late. Congratulations, Lely.

- First class. | - Ach, no. Did you think so?

- Oh, yes. | - Better and better.

Thank you. "Grazie. Grazie."

- The Beefsteak? | - I'm ravenous.

- Gentlemen, good night. | - Good night.

- Good night, Butt! | - Good night.

Dickie! "Courage."

Well, there you have it, Dickie.

He's an absolute bastard.

I knew something of this order | would happen.

I sensed it, I told you so!

This really is unconscionably cruel.

You've missed your last train, Dickie.

It's too late to telegraph | the Mrs Temple now.

What'll you do?

I suppose I shall toddle across the river | to my mother's. She never sleeps.

There's g'aye few like us...

...and they're all dead.

My father used to say that.

Laughter.

Tears.

Curtain.

- Good afternoon, Bovill. | - Good afternoon, Mr Gilbert.

- Good afternoon. | - Good afternoon, Miss Russell.

Good afternoon, Rhys... Good heavens!

- Afternoon, Mr Gilbert. | - Good afternoon.

- Might you, er... spare us a moment? | - Of course, we're here to rehearse!

- Please, Mr Gilbert, sir. | - Yes, Price, what is it?

- We, er... | - Hmm?!

The... ladies and gentlemen | of the chorus...

Yes?

Concerning Mr Temple's song, sir.

Ah, the Mikado's song.

Yes, sir.

What of that mercifully | released aberration?

- We all consider it... a very fine song, sir. | - Indeed we do.

Gratifying, I'm sure.

That must be a matter of opinion, | mustn't it, Price?

Well, yes, Mr Gilbert, | but we believe it a great loss.

- Do you? | - Yes, sir.

Especially after all our | extremely hard work.

And, of course, Mr Temple.

I'm really very sorry for you, | but as we all know, it's an unjust world.

We all feel it would have been | of great benefit to the opera.

And that perhaps | the audience should decide.

Is this the considered opinion of you all?

It is, sir.

- I am not party to this, Mr Gilbert. | - Ah, Mr Kent.

As ever, the sole voice of reason.

Temple, what do you make | of this occurrence?

I do beg your pardon, Mr Gilbert.

But I have absolutely no idea | what is taking place.

There has been a request | that your song be reinstated.

Ah.

Ah.

A most forceful request, I have to say.

Afternoon!

Do clear the way.

Oh. I beg your pardon, sir.

This is surprising indeed, | ladies and gentlemen.

And somewhat overwhelming.

Temple. Would you be prepared to sing | the song at this evening's performance?

Yes, sir. I would.

Then please be so good as to do so.

- Hip-hip...

- Hooray! | - Rehearsals in five minutes.

Seymour, where's D'Auban?

- Congratulations, Temple. | - Thank you, good chappie.

Right you are, Pidgeon! | Come along! Make haste!

- Sir, it's seven o'clock, sir. | - Ah, there you are, Willie.

Willie! Willie!!

The carriage is waiting, sir.

Sir!

- Out of my way, Pidgeon! | - I do apologise, sir.

Willie! We must be leaving!

We don't want to be late.

- You look beautiful, madam. | - Oh, thank you, Mrs Judd.

Oh, it's most pleasant to be appreciated.

Don't worry, madam.

- Good evening, Cook. | - Evening, sir.

- Come in!

- GG! | - Arthur!

- Your very good health. | - Yours too, Arthur.

- Splendid piece. | - Thank you.

We shall both be splendid tonight.

Too many words.

- I thought I'd just pop in. | - Much appreciated.

So very frightened of losing...

One had to stay by the door, | don't you know?

- I beg your pardon? | - 50 per week isn't too much to ask.

Behaves more like a man than a woman.

GG.

- Try to remember to breathe properly. | - Yes, yes, yes.

This year... next year.

Too much noise.

George. Shall we fetch you a doctor?

I know doctors!

Coming in here, | picking and fussing over one!

Magnetising the children.

We shall have a great triumph, you know.

What is the time, by the way?

A quarter past. | The dreaded hour approaches.

Now...

Take a deep breath.

Very good.

- Who is it? | - Gilbert.

Do come in, Mr Gilbert.

- A brief intrusion. | - How are you, Mr Gilbert?

As well as any condemned man | can expect.

- How are you, ladies? | - Oh, a little anxious, Mr Gilbert.

You have every right to be anxious | under the circumstances.

I don't suppose | you'll be with us this evening.

Indeed not. Why on earth | should I consort with the foe?

Oh, but I'm quite sure | we shall have a great success, Mr Gilbert.

I wish I possessed your confidence.

Well, Jessie!

Bonne chance!

- Thank you. | - And you, tortoise.

Thank you, Mr Gilbert.

Very good.

I shall put on my kimono now, | please, Emily.

Oh! Very well, Miss Braham.

- Good evening, Cook. | - Sir.

- Is Mr Grossmith respectable? | - I'm afraid not, sir.

- We'll return later, George. | - Oh, thank you.

- Good evening. | - Sir.

No, Cookie!

- Gilbert! | - I beg your pardon, sir.

May I come in?

I'm in my birthday suit.

- Ah. Are we not receiving? | - No, sir.

Good luck, Grossmith! | And be careful with the sword.

Righto!

- Walk, boy! | - Yes, sir.

Permission, Mr Cook.

Permission withheld, sir. On your way.

Thank you, sir. Good luck, sir.

Five minutes, sir.

# Miya sama, miya sama

# On n'm-ma no maye ni

# Pira-Pira suru no wa

# Nan gia na

# Toko tonyare tonyare na?

# Miya sama, miya sama

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